To step up safety on Aussie roads, all states have slapped a massive new fine of $967 on drivers who break key traffic rules. This is one of the stiffest hit-the-wallet rules we’ve seen in ages and goes after the habits that keep causing avoidable and often deadly crashes.
Financial Wake-Up Call for Road Offences
Mounting a bill for a serious traffic mistake has never felt this harsh in Australia. The $967 sting is hitting a short list of behaviours criminal, yes, but dangerously common: speeding past school zones, tailgating in wet weather, and ignoring red lights, to name a few. Officials lay the blame squarely on alarming crash figures that keep returning to the same deadly patterns.
Traffic authorities say previous tactics, sending flyers and gentle $300 nudges, only slowed the reckless weail for a blink. When the road safety team saw the latest numbers, it added that our roads must have a “don’t touch, and your wallet won’t feel the burn.” The fine isn’t just a “gotcha” at month’s end. It’s a “think twice, and keep on driving, in one lane.”
Which Behaviours Will Land You With the New Fine?
The $967 ticket aims at a lot of risky habits that put everyone on the road in danger. If you’re caught texting, scrolling, or chatting on your phone while the engine’s running, that dough goes straight to you. It shows that the folks running the roads are realizing that distracted driving is one of the biggest threats we face these days.
The same fine comes down on anyone blasting past the posted speed limit in a school zone or road work area where tiny walkers are everywhere. You’ll also see that fine if you blast through a red light or cruise with a tiny bit of booze in your blood—not enough to land a criminal charge, but still way too much to be driving.
“We want every driver to see the new fine as a slam warning to rethink risky moves that could turn a car into a death trap,” the transport ministry explained. “We aim to hit the wallet hard enough that that split-second choice feels too costly to make.”
Enforcement Measures and Technology
At the same moment the hefty ticket was announced, police stepped up random roadside checks and smart cameras hit the street. New cameras that automatically catch drivers glued to their phones dot every busy zone, while speed blasters go to both cities and country roads. Detecting anyone zooming a little too hot.
Officers in every state are also running covert extra patrols, searching for seatbelt scofflaws, distracted types, and speed demons, stealing a few extra “safety moments” in the everyday crawl as they crack down during evening rush and school holidays—the times when body counts leap. Already, square kilometers of footage logged hundred of warnings.
Community Response and Controversy
Support for the $967 ticket rolls in day and night from road safety urges, who see it as a life-saver, while broadside complaints from driver clubs see the fine as a wrecking-load of money that can break a pay-low household. Messages flood apps. Advocates say each cancelled risky choice could save a young life, while rebel voices cry that the poorest plates always get burgers of the fine, not the salads.
“What we really want is for drivers to rethink their choices,” said a leading road safety expert. “Fines do help, but they work best when we talk to people, show them the facts, and make them aware of the risks.”
Keep Your Money, Keep Your Focus
If you want to steer clear of the big fine, the road safety officials are clear: stay sharp and follow the rules. Lock your phone in the glove box so you aren’t tempted to check it. Watch for those speed zone signs, especially when the limit changes, and never drive if you’ve had a drink. The focus is on safety, and the easiest way to avoid a shock to the budget is to drive smart.
That $967 fine can really hurt a family’s budget—often the same as a week’s pay for many Aussie workers. That’s why authorities hit the alarm bell: they want everyone to see these fines as a red flag, not just a red ticket.
FAQs
What driving actions will set off the $967 fine?
The fine hits you for using your phone in hand, speeding way over the limit in a school zone, speeding through a red light, and a few alcohol-related offences.
Can I fight the $967 fine?
Absolutely. Like other traffic tickets, you can challenge the fine by going through the court or issuing body.
Will I get demerit points with this ticket?
Definitely, demerit points usually come with the fine based on the type of offence you committed.
Is the ticket amount the same everywhere in Australia?
Not quite—there are small differences between the states and territories, but the overall system is designed to look almost the same nationwide.
Australia Driving Rules Updated from August 2025 – Key Changes and How to Apply